Raz B Has Pride
You've probably seen the (kinda gay) pics of B2K's underwear party in an Orlando hotel room. If not, look here and here, we've uploaded them for ya'. That was mere foreplay horseplay. Now the main event: Former member Raz B will perform at the Bay Area Black in the Life, Oakland's black gay pride and film fest. Raz gets served Saturday, August 20 at Family Day. The first question: What will he sing? The runner-up question: Will he drop his pants?
One, who cares? Two ... he'd better. Although Omarion is positioned to become the Diana Ross or Beyoncé of the former boy band, Raz B's sex appeal was undeniable. (Those lips, that bubble ... ) On the one hand, it's a good career move to rescue him from obscurity and the remainder bins. Early adoption by gay audiences can secure airplay for the dance versions of whatever single Raz will push; he'll also been seen as edgy and a trend-setter.
It's also a strong endorsement. Female artists like Deborah Cox, Cher, Kylie, Janet and, most notably, Crystal Waters have made careers from performing at pride events. (Have you ever attended a pride event that did not feature Crystal or Deborah? Didn't think so.) But few mainstream male artists—especially black or Latin—have done the same. Our initial instincts say Raz's appearance is a clever, career move and niche marketing. In the long run, it's all about the Benjamins, baby. Let's not jump to any conclusion about the young'n, but if we see him at the after-party or being too friendly with the go-go dancers ...
More Raz B below when you ...
If you would forgive my being shallow for just one moment:
Raz-B comes as close to my idea of physical perfection as humanly possible. Now, if he muses intellectually about socio-political issues and collects comic books, I think I may have found my soulmate!
Posted by: Bobby | 13 July 2005 at 00:27
i am so glad you posted this... as many of the people i have talked to about this, automatically thought this was his way of coming out of the closet. i personally thought it was a great move; conquer us and we will spread the word on how fabulous he is and the rest of the world will catch on...
Posted by: BQ | 13 July 2005 at 00:30
i think more male recording artists should perform at pride events since we are a big part of why their recordings sells.....the female artists have wasted no time agreeing to perform at gay events and it's about time a male artist do the same........................but i must say i sure hope he is bi tho.....lol
but if not i do respect his decision to perform.....even if it was for publicity......most of everything people do in the entertainment industry is for publicity
Posted by: TEE | 13 July 2005 at 01:48
You're absolutely right, make no assumption. If anything, it's a smart move...everyone has done it to a certain degree, but he definitely takes the cake, shoot the ice cream too.
Posted by: my truth | 13 July 2005 at 04:21
He'd make a great fag with those lips, that skin, that bubble. Too young for my taste but he would many of the kids very happy!
Posted by: nathans | 13 July 2005 at 05:01
Sadly, I don't believe it to be a matter of talent, when it comes to Raz or any other young R & B/Hip Hop artist...As long as he's running around half naked, showing off a six pac, do you think the black gay community, or any other segment of the pop culture crowd gives a rat's ass how much studio magic they have to use just to get this poor boy to carry a note? LOL ... ah, superficiality, where would this fly-by-night, fickle country be without it?
Posted by: Keith | 13 July 2005 at 07:10
Many thoughts. First, that underwear party. Woooo! Can I bring room service?
Second, why is it so hard for some people to accept the possibility he may be playing Black Pride because he is one of us? I don't know why he's performing there any more than anyone else, but have we too bought into the myth that guys (especially celebrities) who (try to) look thug can't possibly be gay? Put another way, do straight guys hold underwear parties??? (I'm just asking.) Sometimes, if it walks like a duck...
Finally, da boy got some serious DSLs!
Posted by: Bernie | 13 July 2005 at 08:28
Mr. Cheeks performed at DC Black pride a couple of years ago and Doug E Fresh performed this year. In more obscure news, American Idol's Travis Tucker also performed at a gay club this spring.
Posted by: Mark | 13 July 2005 at 08:45
Raz was always my favorite, even when he was extreme jailbait.
kudos to the man.
Posted by: tekay | 13 July 2005 at 09:50
As a Promoter/Artist Manager... I give you my industry perspective..I doubt he is coming OUT. He was booked and he accepted the payment to perform at the event. Nothing more, Nothing Less.... I think we as a people can be so thirsty to get some "TEA" on someone that we wanna make any and all male celebs gay/bi/dl.... Its great that he is performing to an alternative audience and lets leave it at that
Posted by: Paul | 13 July 2005 at 10:04
Look.From the first time I saw B2K perform,I knew they all had a little extra sugar in their tanks.AND??In my eyes,they were,still,very cute/hansome & talented.Having a 'slumber' party in a hotel room with only the four of them and stripping down to their underwear and,mabye,eving going,totally,nude?Why not?Enjoy!I,only wished I was there,too.Yummy!
Posted by: Blaster | 13 July 2005 at 11:01
Man this is crazy! TYhose pictures with them in the room stripping is crazy! Insane stuff! I cannot believe any of it! Wow all 4 of them had sex? That is very crazy and too much for me to handle....
Posted by: Lil Kis | 14 July 2005 at 00:01
to raz from your number one fan i am gay please dont freak i think you are dam fine and sexy keep it up handsome
Posted by: gizmo | 14 July 2005 at 06:56
that boy is so damn fine it would be nice to have him as one of are family memebers!
Posted by: dezeyg | 14 July 2005 at 10:40
I have been loving B2K since my grandmother turned me on to them. I traveled from NY to PA to see them perform and it was worth the trip. I even got the thumbs up from Raz-B when I jumped in to support the officers escort their bus off the fair lot. The kids were just wild that night. I've been in love with him, got all of his pics, and pretty soon, I'll be in a position to have him all to myself for a night or two.:) Yea, Im a hit that right yo.
Posted by: lana | 15 July 2005 at 17:26
Iv'e been a fan of Raz Since the first time I saw "Uh-Huh" Video on 106 and Park. He's always been my fave one, he just looks so beautiful for a 20 year old. I have actually seen him and he is shorter then thought he was...maybe 5Ft 7 or 6, but he is still fine as hell.
Posted by: James M | 16 July 2005 at 13:15
Well, I just think this is what happens when you don’t have that much talent and you need the money. Raz B is not performing for free. He starts off hitting the homo clubs, house party club and pride circuits. Then move up the latter to bigger and better opportunities. Is he homo, I don't know and performing for a fee doesn't make him one.
The pictures, although questionable as an adult, as a child I remember taking some silly pictures as kids. I remember after a game we stripped down to our shorts or towels and took pictures showing off our muscles.
Posted by: naturalblkluv | 17 July 2005 at 17:50
B2k is so sexy! I wish I was at that underwear party.
Posted by: JA | 19 July 2005 at 14:16
WHO CARES IF HES GAY LONG AS HES DOIN HIS PART IN SUPPORTIN THE LIFE,,,,, HES WORKIN HIS WAY UP THE LADDER ,IT'LL CUM OUT SOON OR LATER,...... U JUST KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB U R DOIN.. IF DROPPIN YR PANTS GETS U WHAT U WANT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK......FORM YR GAY FAN ,,,, LUV THE LIPPSS......
Posted by: RUSSELL FOSTER | 26 July 2005 at 15:59
SOMEBODY STOP HIM!! HE'S MAKING THE WORST MISTAKE OF HIS CAREER. WHETHER HE HAS ENOUGH TALENT TO SOAR, DOESN'T MATTER, PERFORMING AT ANY GAY EVENT IS CAREER SUICIDE. U CAN NEVER RETURN. ONLY FEMALES HAVE DONE IT AND THEN THEY ALMOST HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE GAY COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THE STRAIGHTS USUALLY ABANDON THEM. EVEN WORSE IF HE IS GAY. HE'S RUINED. AW MAN, HE F*CKED UP HUGE. THEY COULDN'T GET SOME USUAL HAG TO PERFORM. PLEASE, SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY TELL HIM NOT TO DO IT...EVER.ALSO TELL HIM NOT TO COME OUT IF HE IS GAY. ALL HE'LL HAVE ARE FEM KATS STALKING HIM 24-7. ITS HIGHLY OVERATED AND NOT ONLY CAREER SUICIDE, ITS SOCIAL SUICIDE (FOR MASCULINE KATS). THERE'S NO FUTURE IN GAY FANS UNLESS YOU'RE SHOWING YOUR DICK ON EVERY CD COVER MORE SHOCKING THAN THE LAST, AND WHAT KIND OF TALENT WOULD IT BE THEN?
Posted by: BUTCH BLACK | 28 July 2005 at 00:03
I have always been a fan of raz b b/c we are both gemini's, yeah the sexy ones of the bunch. if he is gay, bi or whatever, then let him be and let him live.
Posted by: gottaluvme | 01 August 2005 at 19:34
He is so sexy!!! If he is bi more power to man.
Posted by: Terry | 01 August 2005 at 20:45
Those pictures are not gay looking. It looks like pictures taken after a show with friends being silly.
If you don't think of males sexually, you can be around them nude without it being sexual.
Posted by: BooDLove | 01 August 2005 at 21:21
Definately clever marketing.
Posted by: caringkj | 02 August 2005 at 19:43
raz-b is so damn sexy and he is all mine and dont think that he is yours because you are dead wrong
Posted by: Mrs.raz-b | 04 August 2005 at 14:48